Day 59 - Pizza for 911 Dispatchers

I was browsing through another bloggers random acts of kindness and got a wonderful idea!  He delivered some pizzas to a homeless shelter staff and I thought I could totally do something similar!  I mean who doesn't love pizza ?!?

I decided the 911 dispatchers and police staff that work overnight probably deal with some of the roughest situations and probably have some pretty stressful nights most of the time.

I thought a few pizzas to the McKinney Police Department would definitely brighten their night so I ordered some to be delivered in secret :).  The officer I spoke with when I was stalking out this random act said about 4-6 staff members work each night so I really hope the couple of pizzas heading their way make their night.  Hopefully taking their minds, even if only temporarily, off the seriousness and possible sadness of their overnight work.

Enjoy your pizza fellas and ladies!!

Day 59 - Pizza for 911 dispatchers

Day 58 - Candy for the Mail Carrier

I've mentioned before how much I am loving couponing and getting great deals on things.  Candy is one of those things that, at the right time, you can get a great deal on.  A couple of weeks ago I grabbed a few bags and stashed them away for fun random acts of kindness (or midnight chocolate cravings).

Today I thought it would be fun to appreciate someone that probably doesn't hear it too often....our mail carrier!  They work hard, always get our mail and packages to us and probably rarely talk to too many people throughout their day.  I wanted to leave them a little treat and note of appreciation to brighten their day today.  Hope it makes them smile!!

Day 58 - Candy for the mail carrier

Day 57 - Bought Discount Cards for a Great Cause

Chris and the girls had left for gymnastics this evening and I was home alone waiting to head off to bible study when the doorbell rang.  It was young boy selling discount cards to raise money for Transplants for Children.  It has great local discounts for restaurants, stores and other services.  The irony is that my friend Kristie just flew out today to Colorado to wait on a new heart after battling with a congenital heart defect since birth.  I knew it had to be my random act of kindness for the day so I purchased the discount cards!  Praying for you Kristie!!

Day 57 - Bought Discount Cards

Day 56 - Bought Walgreens Employee a Pack of Gum

Today after the kids left I was heading to a nearby city to pick up a new kitchen for the daycare off Craigslist.  Before heading there I needed to grab a little cash from Walgreens and had a coupon to use ($5 off $20).  I grabbed a few items but was $3 short of my $20 total.  I ended up grabbing 3 packs of gums to save my $5 :).  I decided to keep 2 for the girls and give the 3rd to the guy working the checkout.  He was very surprised and super appreciative.

Day 56 - Gum for the checkout guy 

Day 55 - Helped a Homeless Man

On a drive yesterday the girls and I noticed a man in the median at a stop light close to our house.  He had a sign that read "I am homeless any help would be appreciated.  God Bless".  Yesterday we tried to find some money in the car but didn't have any but then today we saw him again.  The girls said we had to get him something today and I totally agreed.

We headed to CVS and picked up a few travel size toiletries, a card of encouragement, a little bit of money and then the girls picked a few packages of candies.  As we headed back to see him the girls wrote out a card for him.  "We love you, God loves you we are praying for you".  They added a few hearts and then additional notes of "God loves you".

As we went back to see him the girls were so excited to pass it out the window to him.  We were so lucky to catch the light so we could hand him the goodie bag and share a few words.  Ryan handed him the bag and without hesitation said "have a great day!".  He was so appreciative and had the kindest eyes I have ever seen.  His beard and disheveled appearance made him look so much older but his eyes showed youth, and after speaking a few seconds with the girls, hope. 

This exact situation is why I am doing these 366 random acts.  To bring hope and brighten someone's day even if it's through the simplest act. It touched me deeply today and as crazy as it sounds, I felt like I was looking into the eyes of Jesus himself.  God made us to take care of each other, and have a giving spirit, and I will spend my life doing all I can to help those in need and bring a ray of hope where there may be none.

Day 55 - Helped a homeless man

Day 54 - Adopted a Duck

Hope Park Frisco is a grassroots effort to build an all-accessible, super sensory playground with a focused consideration for children with special needs by Spring 2013.

Boundless in it’s design, this will be like no other park in Frisco.   This park will be designed, paid for, and built by the community of Frisco.   It will include play areas for children with special needs.  It will have new and exciting play equipment not yet seen in any Frisco parks.  It will go beyond monkey bars, slides and simulated climbing rocks.  It will truly be an inclusive play adventure!

This park sounds amazing and it will be so wonderful to get a park that can be accessible for all! 

The Miracle League of Frisco, which offers baseball, soccer, bowling and other sports opportunities for special needs children ages 5 to 18 with all levels of disabilities from throughout the North Texas area, is hosting a wonderful event to benefit Hope Park. 

Ducky Palooza is a a day-long event with crafts, arts, entertainment, ducky races, ducky pageants and more!  All to benefit Hope Park.

I "adopted" 2 duckies (one for each of my daughters) that would participate in the ducky race.  What a great cause and a great event! 

Day 54 - Adopted some ducks

Day 53 - Sent Candy for Teachers and Took Dinner to a Friend

It's Friday!!  I always look forward to Fridays because it means a couple of days with the family and some time to relax.  Fridays usually also mean the end to a busy and sometimes hectic or stressful work week.  For that reason I always think chocolate on Friday is a sure winner :).

The girls had a Spirit Day at school today so they were able to wear jeans instead of their uniform skirts.  I think anytime there is even a slight change in a daily schedule it can result in extra excited kids so I thought a gift for their teachers would be fun.  So both girls wrote their teachers a little note and then we attached them to a little bag of chocolates.

After school we also ran to Rosa's Tortilla Shop (delicious!!) to grab some dinner for a member of my bible study group and her family.  She had some surgery last week so as a bible study group we decided to provide meals for the family for the week.  She was very appreciative and it's great to see a group come together like that to rally for one of their members and provide where there is a need.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Day 53 - Candy for teachers, dinner for a friend

Day 52 - Ate Soup to Fight Hunger

Empty Bowls is a local annual event to increase awareness of hunger in the world. For a $20 donation, attendees will receive a simple meal of soup and bread and take home a hand made bowl. This bowl is a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world. Proceeds from the event benefit hunger initiatives at McKinney's Community Lifeline Center.

The girls and I decided it would be fun to attend to support the event and it was so uplifting to see the community come together to help fight hunger. So many gifted artists had donated their works and there were some beautiful bowls being raffled off.

The girls were both able to choose their own bowl and then we enjoyed a wonderful meal of soup, bread and brownies.  

The handmade bowls were made by local artisans, church members, school kids, campers and many people in the community who graciously donated their artwork.

It was a wonderful turnout!!

Day 52 - Ate soup to fight hunger

Day 51 - Paid for the Car Behind Us

This morning I told the girls we could run through Starbucks on the way to school for a little morning treat.  Kailey suggested we pay for the car behind us.  I thought it was a great idea!!

So for today's random act of kindness we paid for the car behind us in the drive thru. 

Day 51 - Pay it forward in the drive thru

Day 50 - Shared Love on the Sidewalk

Day 50!  I cannot believe it has been 50 days already!  Although 50 days is a pretty small milestone in the 366 day journey I know I have been changed already.  Having the opportunity to go out there daily and make a conscience effort to make a difference is both extremely humbling as well liberating.  Especially when you know there can be a lot of power in a tiny act of kindness.

I have also realized over the last 50 days that these random acts of kindness do not just benefit the recipient.  I know everyone has some days that are just full of praise and then other days where you feel nothing is going your way.  It is on these days where you just cannot shake a funk that these random acts can be so important.  They force us to stop thinking about ourselves.  To put someone else first and really keep things in perspective.

Today is one of those funky days for me.  I have a lot on my mind and I am spending more time than I should worrying about things that are completely out of my control.  So I needed a pick me up to pull me out of my funk and what better way than to help someone else feel awesome about themselves!!

The weather is amazing here in Texas today so the girls and I headed out after school and wrote notes on the sidewalk with chalk for those out this evening.  Just a little something to make them smile and hopefully remind them that they are loved and beautiful and made to do some amazing things and fulfill a wonderful purpose.  Sometimes we all just need a little reminder :).

Day 50 - Notes on the sidewalk

Day 49 - Free Coffee for Starbucks Customer

Today I had the day off and with it being a business day I jammed in every possible annual appointment I could.  Doctor, dentist, dermatologist, etc.  Appointments were scheduled from about 8am through 4pm but I found myself with a little break before my last appointment.

I decided I needed a treat to give me a little midday pick-me-up so I made a quick stop to Starbucks.  After purchasing my coffee I decided to buy a $5 gift card.  I then asked the employee to give it to the next person that comes in.  She was utterly confused and asked it she should look for anyone specific.  I said no it was just a random act to brighten someone's day so whoever came in next could receive it.  She smiled and I left.  Hope this little act of kindness brought a smile to someone's face today :).

Day 49 - Free coffee for Starbucks customer

Day 48 - Supported More Love Letters

Hannah Brencher's organization, More Love Letters was just recently awarded the Random Act of Kindness 2013 Extreme Kindness Challenge.  Here is a wonderful video about Hannah and her organization.  http://youtu.be/h6VgNzJ04z8

After watching the video I was inspired and motivated and wanted to do all I could to help her and her cause.  I went to her organization's site and was able to donate a book of stamps to the letter writing team.  I'm sure these letters have touched so many and have brought hope and encouragement where there may have been none.

Hannah you are an inspiration!!  Keep doing what you're doing!!  Hands and feet....hands and feet...

Day 48 - More love letters

Day 47 - Hid Dollar Bills at a Bookstore

We were out running errands this Saturday morning at ended up at Half Price Books.  Definitely my favorite bookstore!  I remembered a random act that another blogger mentioned earlier in the week and thought this would be a great opportunity for my daily act.

I had a few dollar bills left over from the concert last night so decided to leave them in books at the bookstore.  I thought the personal finance section would be a perfect location for our random act.

Hoping maybe the dollars will make someone's day a little brighter and provide a little ray of hope that there are nice people out there that enjoy doing random things for others.

Day 47 - Dollar bills in books

Day 46 - Left Diapers and Wipes in Restroom Changing Table

Today is my birthday!!  As a little celebration the whole family headed down to Dallas for a concert at the American Airlines Center.  9 Christian artists/acts in one place and it was AWESOME!!  Girls and I had a blast and even Chris, who's not a huge fan of Christian music, seemed to enjoy it.

I wanted to come up with a random act of kindness before heading down and thought spare diapers and wipes would be perfect.  I remember when the girls were babies and we were away from the house traveling or attending an event.  Without fail, at the most inconvenient place and time, one of the girls would need a diaper change.  And to be stuck in that situation without an extra diaper or wipes was the worst!

So today for our random act of kindness the girls and I bundled up a few diapers and a pack of wipes for 2 restrooms at the American Airlines Center.  We added one of our little RAOK note cards and then visited 2 restrooms during the event to drop off the diapers/wipes.

Hopefully these will relieve some poor mom's stress during a future event :).

Day 46 - Diapers and wipes in restroom changing table

Day 45 - Sent Ecards

Today is Valentine's Day!  I've never been a huge fan of the holiday but now that I have children in school I will participate to humor them :).  Today for my random act of kindness I sent out a few ecards to friends and loved ones to let them know I'm thinking of them.

Happy Valentines Day!

Day 45 - Sent ecards

Day 44 - Bought a Pizza for Someone

Today our girls' school was running a fundraiser for a little classmate.  The fundraiser was held at Papa Murphy's and a percentage of all sales would be donated to the little girl's family.

The girls and I went in to pick up our order and decided to add an extra order of cheesy bread pizza for the next customer that came in.  Hope it was a pleasant surprise!

Day 44 - Bought a pizza

Day 43 - Dress for a Princess

Ruffles, feathers, sequence and frilly lace. I am not describing someone's cart as they check out from Joann Fabrics. No, I am describing Ryan's wardrobe.  Based on the way Ryan already stares at her clothes I can only imagine how things will progress over the years.

When I first found out that we were having girls, many things raced through my mind.  As they have gotten older and it's evident I have some girly-girls with a tiny bit of tomboy in there, I start to think about two things: them walking down the aisle at their weddings and watching them take pictures for school dances.  I just keep picturing how beautiful they will look, and how I will do everything in my power to give them the ability to have whatever fancy dress they fall in love with. I want to be able to make them feel like a princess (or a president/doctor/lawyer).

I think every girl should be afforded the opportunity to feel like a princess, so for today's random act of kindness, I am going to do my part to help that cause.   I am going to be donating money for a dress to The Princess Project.

The Princess Project works to "promote self confidence and individual beauty" by donating free prom dresses to girls in high school who are not able to afford them. With the help of these dresses, thousands of girls each year are able to enjoy one of the marquee nights in the world of a high schooler. If you have any recent new or gently used dresses that you believe a girl would want to wear to prom, please visit the above link for details on how to send.

Day 43- Dress for a Princess

Day 42 - Sent a Hug

Today in my Facebook newsfeed I noticed that a friend mentioned that they really needed a hug. 

I went online and sent one her way!  Hoping this guy makes her smile a bit today :).

Day 42 - Sent a hug

Day 41 - Sent a Valentine's Day Card

I have a great friend that is definitely in need of a little Valentine's Day love.  So today the girls decorated an envelope and we sent a Valentine's card her way!

Hoping she has a blessed holiday!

Day 41 - Sent a Valentine's Day card

Day 40 - Games and Books to Teenage Shelter

Ryan earned $1 a couple of weeks back and has been asking me since then to spend it :).  So today we had a chance for just the two of us to run to Dollar Tree for a little shopping.  While she was browsing I noticed some items that I thought would be great for the teenage shelter (City House) we just sent some Valentines to a couple of days ago (Day 37).

We ended up grabbing about 6 decks of cards, a couple of packs of dice, 2 sets of dominoes and then a few copies of Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul and some Chicken Soup Word Searches.

We boxed up the supplies and headed straight to the post office.  Hoping the kids will get everything for any sort of Valentine's party they may be having this week.

Day 40 - Games to youth shelter

Day 39 - Requested a Tiara for Ileana

I got this wonderful idea to request a tiara from another blogger who is also doing a random act each day this year.  Tiaras with Love was started in 2012 and their purpose is to channel empowerment that lies deep inside of every girl or woman by providing an outward symbol (tiara) of an inward sparkle (self-love, self-worth).

A tiara is sent by request or referral to any woman or girl in need of support. It’s a sign, showing solidarity behind each woman or girl experiencing challenges or obstacles in her life and to help remind or discover her fullest potential or desires.

So for those that remember some earlier acts Ileana is one of my daughter's classmates and has been battling cancer since May.  After many, many prayers St. Jude Children's Research Hospital called this past Monday and they were on a plane Tuesday so she could be seen by some of the greatest physicians in the country.  She just started a new medicine today so we are all praying for success and no ill side effects.  I thought a tiara would be such a wonderful gift for her to receive during her stay at St. Judes.  Just something to give her a little boost of sparkle as she continues her unrelenting fight against this horrible disease.

Here is a little on Ileana for those who may have not read some of the earlier random acts.  Friends of Ileana

We are praying for you Ileana!!

Day 39 - Requested a tiara for Ileana

Day 38 - Dropped off Food Pantry Donations

The Frisco Food Pantry supplies over 35,000 pounds of food and needed items to more than 375 families each month. That is a lot of food and a lot of need just in our area alone.

Throughout the year we love to do all we can to assist Frisco Family Services.  FFS is a non-profit organization that helps members of our communities who are facing hunger, homelessness and other urgent needs improve their quality of life and achieve self-sufficiency.  We try to help by donating food to the pantry, clothes to Frisco resale or by volunteering at one of their fundraising events.

Over the last 2 weeks we have been collecting the 5 most needed foods for the Frisco Food Pantry.  Donations came from daycare families and friends as well as members of my women's bible study.  We are so grateful for all the donations.

For today's random act of kindness the girls and I delivered all the food to the pantry.  The staff was even nice enough to show the girls around and explain a little about the pantry and how it works.

Day 38 - Food donations to the food pantry

Day 37 - Sent Valentines to a Youth Shelter

The girls were working on Valentines today for their classmates after dinner and we ended up with quite a few extras.  I tried to think of a great way to share the Valentines and perform today's random act of kindness.  Then I remembered a teenage shelter in Plano we had worked with in the past.  We decorated an envelope and then sent a stack of Valentines for the residents.

City House was founded by two school teachers, sadly inspired and driven by one teenager sleeping in his pickup truck, another living in a vacant building, and another bringing her clothes to school in a garbage bag. 

In 1988, City House opened its doors to its first residents. What began as a six-bed shelter has grown into a four home, 36 beds, multifaceted agency that provides residential and non-residential services to more than 500 children, young adults and their families each year. 

The mission of City House is to provide emergency shelter and transitional residential services to children and young adults who are in need due to abuse, neglect or homelessness.

What a great organization to send some Valentine's Day love to!!

Day 37 - Valentines to a youth shelter

 

Day 36 - Mailed Expired Coupons to Military Families

On one of my earliest random act posts I had a friend inform me that you could send expired coupons to military families.  Military families overseas can use coupons up to six months past their expiration date. This is a great way to spread the coupon love and show our service men and women how much we appreciate their devotion and sacrifice. I did not know this so over the past weekend I went through my coupon binder and grabbed all the expired coupons or coupons I knew we wouldn't use.

I then found this great information on The Krazy Coupon Lady about what to send, how and to whom and mailed off my expired coupons today! http://thekrazycouponlady.com/coupons-for-military/

It feels great to be able to give back to a group that has done so much for us and is probably often under-appreciated.

Day 36 - Mailed Expired Coupons to Military Families

Day 35 - Provided a Person with Clean Water for 25 years

I learned some very scary facts today about something most of us take completely for granted: clean water.  We shower in it, drink it, brush our teeth with it, flush our toilets with it, etc. without even thinking twice.

Today though I learned that 1.1 billion people lack access to clean drinking water, and nearly 2.5 million people die each year due to waterborne-related disease, 90% of which are children under the age of 5.  That is 1 child every 19 seconds.  Think of how many people will have died just in the time it takes you to read this!  So heartbreaking!

So for today's random act I purchased a t shirt from ThirstTees.  Every t-shirt purchased provides someone with 25 years of clean water.  ThirstTees partners with Thirst Relief International, a charity that builds wells and biosand filters throughout Africa, India, and South America.  Proceeds from each shirt go to building these wells and filters which can last 25 years or longer.  

What a wonderful movement to support and you get a super cool t-shirt to show for it!

Day 35 - Provided someone with clean water for 25 years

Day 34 - Gave to the Homeless

This happened last night but since I had already posted for Day 33 I moved it to Day 34 because I definitely wanted to share this story.

So to say we love downtown McKinney would be a huge understatement.  The historic town square, the quirky restaurants and shops, the yearly family-friendly festivals and the amazing historic homes that line the outskirts of the square.  On this particular day we toured one of these gorgeous historic homes.  It was so beautiful and after our tour we didn't want our downtown McKinney experience to end.

We grabbed dinner at the character-dripping Spoons Cafe.  Great food, great service and live music.  Can't beat it!  Then after dinner we decided to walk around the square a bit before heading home. 

Then Ryan blew my mind tonight...in an amazing way.  There was a homeless man on a bench banging a small tambourine and the moment she saw him she asked to give him some money.

We only had a bigger bill but she kept asking and asking so we told her we would try to break it. We went up the block quite a bit and there was an older musician performing on the street with a guitar and harmonica. The girls danced and danced and had a blast. We knew we it was a sign so we went into a restaurant and got the girls some money.

We thought they were both going to throw it in the guitar case because it was right there but without thinking Ryan darted back down the block to the homeless man on the bench. Without hesitation, without fear, without thought. It flooded me with all sorts of emotion...pride, joy, guilt and embarrassment (that we were just going to pass him by), apprehension and so much more. If we could only all have the heart of a child. That is the kind of compassion and giving that will change this world!!

Day 34 - Tipped a street performer and gave to a homeless man

Day 33 - Donated Clothes and Breakfast

Since today is Saturday we used the down time this morning to clean out a few closets.  We gathered enough clothing and a few baby toys and books to fill a large trash bag.  One our way to our local thrift store, Frisco Resale, we decided to grab breakfast for the guys unloading all the cars.

We grabbed them a few donuts and headed off to drop off our donations and a little breakfast.  They were very appreciative and we could tell it definitely brightened their day a bit.  

Day 33 - Donated clothes and breakfast

Day 32 - Wore Red

Today is National Wear Red Day!!

Cardiovascular disease claims the lives of nearly 500,000 American women each year and is the #1 killer of women. The American Heart Association, along with the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute created National Wear Red Day® to raise awareness of this critical issue. 

So today for my random act of kindness I'm wearing red to help bring awareness to cardiovascular disease and the amazing work of the American Heart Association!!

Break out your own red today and Go Red for Women!!

Day 32 - Wore red